Gone Home – Beryl Mullender

15 March 2021

It is with profound sadness, that Basingstoke East Scouts announce the unexpected passing of Beryl Mullender at home last week. Beryl has been involved in Scouting for most of her adult life and will be sadly missed by all her friends and family.

Beryl had been at the heart of Scouting in Basingstoke and the surrounding area for many years and had given over 65 years of loyal service to Scouting. She started her Scouting adventure as an Assistant Section Leader for Cub Scouts along with her beloved husband Mike back in 1956 and stayed actively involved until her passing last week. Beryl held many roles during her time in Scouting including: Group Executive Committee Member, District Secretary, District Chair, District Badge Secretary, District Appointments Advisory Committee Member and District Appointments Secretary.

Beryl was also heavily involved as the Honorary Manager for Basingstoke Scouting Supplies since it opened in 1990. I remember her telling me that it used to be managed out of old suitcases before being moved into the old Basingstoke Air Scout HQ. When Base 2000 was built, Basingstoke Scouting Supplies found its new permanent home and has seen countless numbers of young people and adults come through its doors for the friendly face-to-face service of offering Scouting supplies and guidance. Beryl was very much looking forward to the reopening of Scouting Supplies and could not wait to get her team back together ready to serve the customers of Basingstoke within the current restrictions for safety.

Beryl’s exceptional service to Scouting has been recognised on multiple occasions including her achieving the Silver Wolf and being nominated, jointly with her husband Mike, as Basingstoke’s Unsung Community Hero back in 2015. Despite her late husband passing away in December 2015, she continued to support local Scouting and was a respected Scouting figure who many turned to for advice, guidance and support.

Beryl’s life was one of total commitment to her family and to Scouting and she will certainly be missed. We thank her for her benevolent service to Scouting and know that there are many whose lives have been enhanced by her example and dedication. I know that she would not have wanted a great deal of fuss and would have wanted ‘the show to go on’ regardless, and because of that we must come together in our grief and honour her memory as we begin to return to face-to-face Scouting. We send our deepest condolences to those closest to her, particularly her sons: Andrew, Phil, Dave and their families.

Once arrangements have been finalised by her family, we will share those with you.

Jamie Andrews
District Commissioner (Acting)
Basingstoke East Scouts

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